OMAGH FAMILIES WELCOME TRIAL
Omagh families welcome trial
THE families of some of the 29 victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing have been reacting to the news that a man is due to be charged with their murders.
The prosecution service has directed police to bring charges against Sean Gerard Hoey, 35, after a review of the forensic and scientific evidence. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast, welcomed the news.
"It's what we've been waiting for and I would hope this will be the beginning of the end for the families," he said.
Mr Hoey, from Jonesborough, County Armagh, is currently in custody on terror charges.
A police spokesperson said "significant time and resources" had been dedicated to the ongoing investigation.
"The current position is that the senior investigating officer has received directions from the DPP which are being processed," the spokesperson said. Mr Gallagher and other relatives of the victims had resorted to civil actions against five men they believed were involved hi the bombing.
"The investigation team has worked very, very hard and they've had our full support. We're delighted things are starting to move.
"I'm happy for ourselves and happy for the investigation team. Our civil action pales into insignificance in comparison to this, but we will continue to pursue the twin track approach."
Victor Barker from Surrey, whose son James, 12, was also killed, said he was delighted by the development.
"It's marvellous, but it has taken an awful long time," he said. Mr Barker praised the dedication of the investigation team. The dissident republican grouping, the Real IRA, carried out the attack on the County Tyrone market town.
A new police inquiry began in May 2002 and followed criticism by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, of the original investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the then chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
Containing thousands of documents, the police files in the case have been with the DPP since last summer - following an 18-month review of all the forensic and scientific evidence in the case.
Relatives of some of the victims feared no-one would ever be charged with the murders and mounted their own civil case against five men they believed were responsible.
THE families of some of the 29 victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing have been reacting to the news that a man is due to be charged with their murders.
The prosecution service has directed police to bring charges against Sean Gerard Hoey, 35, after a review of the forensic and scientific evidence. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast, welcomed the news.
"It's what we've been waiting for and I would hope this will be the beginning of the end for the families," he said.
Mr Hoey, from Jonesborough, County Armagh, is currently in custody on terror charges.
A police spokesperson said "significant time and resources" had been dedicated to the ongoing investigation.
"The current position is that the senior investigating officer has received directions from the DPP which are being processed," the spokesperson said. Mr Gallagher and other relatives of the victims had resorted to civil actions against five men they believed were involved hi the bombing.
"The investigation team has worked very, very hard and they've had our full support. We're delighted things are starting to move.
"I'm happy for ourselves and happy for the investigation team. Our civil action pales into insignificance in comparison to this, but we will continue to pursue the twin track approach."
Victor Barker from Surrey, whose son James, 12, was also killed, said he was delighted by the development.
"It's marvellous, but it has taken an awful long time," he said. Mr Barker praised the dedication of the investigation team. The dissident republican grouping, the Real IRA, carried out the attack on the County Tyrone market town.
A new police inquiry began in May 2002 and followed criticism by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, of the original investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the then chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
Containing thousands of documents, the police files in the case have been with the DPP since last summer - following an 18-month review of all the forensic and scientific evidence in the case.
Relatives of some of the victims feared no-one would ever be charged with the murders and mounted their own civil case against five men they believed were responsible.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/014
Published Date: 09-May-05
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